It has been a virtual cakewalk for most of the top clubs at the ongoing Osian’s Durand Cup football tournament so far. And former NFL champions Mahindra United had no reasons to think otherwise when they took to the field for their pre-quarter final tie against Border Security Force here at Dr Ambedkar stadium today.

Mahindra coach Derrick Pereira was so assured of his team’s easy run that he did not even feel the need to field his national team star cast that included Nehru Cup hero N P Pradeep, Steven Dias and K Ajayan.

But the para-military outfit that has the distinction of winning India’s oldest football tournament seven times had other ideas. And a rusty Mahindras helped their cause to an extent.

Mahindras finally breathed a sigh of relief with what turned out to be the winning goal just two minutes before the final whistle. It was the second penalty awarded to them and this time Deepak Kr Junior, the custodian, had no answer to a blinding spot kick by Yusuf Yakubu. The relief on Pereira’s face said it all. “It was close,” was all he could say later.

The Mahindra forward line was in abysmal form today. BSF could sniff an opportunity and started testing the Mumbai outfit’s defence that was clearly out of sorts. Ph Boy Singh, with some crafty work at the right flank, started creating enough trouble for Mahindras.

A listless Mensah and out of sorts Yakubu did not help matters, and the game was mostly confined to the midfield in the first-half, with neither side getting any real go at the post.

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